Culture and identity. A topic not nearly discussed enough in this society.
As social media increasingly molds every individual into a similar mindset, the upcoming generation of millennials are forgetting about their roots. From the language our ancestors spoke, to the land they lived and traveled through, many people hardly know anything about their family background. Art can bring awareness to our cultures.
The National Museum of the American Indian, located on 1 Bowling Green, New York, NY 10004, is devoted to exhibiting the diversity and roots of the Native people of America. The museum features ongoing and temporary exhibits, as well as offering public programs listed on their calendar.
Upon entering the museum, is a large, open, circular room featuring a ceiling with portraits of explorers of America. In this room, I met Leonard Fassler, from Switzerland.
“Truthfully, I came to visit this museum because I found out it was free. But the architecture of this building is amazing. I’ve been sitting in this room for about an hour. I am a huge fan of museums, and this makes me want to visit the one in D.C. as well.”
One of the programs that the museum offers to the public is an interactive workshop speaking to people of Native American descent. Running the workshop was Jorge Estevez, a museum specialist, and of Taino descent.
“Taino Indians were the first ones to encounter Christopher Columbus when he was discovering the New World. There is a lot of rich culture in the history of Taino, despite the turmoil they faced when the Spanish arrived, a lot of their culture influenced others and became integrated. My job is to keep their culture alive and bring awareness to others.”
Mr. Estevez went on to present artifacts and the making of a Taino headdress.
“It’s crazy to me how different their culture was. They would actually kill each other in fights. Can you imagine that happening in todays world?”
Their exhibit, “Infinity of Nations” is an ongoing exhibit; however, their latest one has been, “Native Fashion Now.” The exhibit features the fashion and style of Native Americans, and showcases the works of todays designers, who devote their work to express Native culture.
It’s important for us to be educated and aware of the culture that used to take place in our ancestry. As technology has advanced, as a society, we have lost many of our ties to ancestors and the traditions they kept for so many years.